Seo-yeon came out of Joon-woo's office and was so deep in her thoughts after what he just told her. Sudden trust and violation of such trust were two sides of the same coin and she had to be very careful next time. The sound of her heels tapping on the marvelous marble floor grew louder, echoing her intents that were laid out as she walked out of the building.
The city was fully active as she drove to her apartment. Neon lights flickered in the twilight, casting a vibrant glow over the streets. The flattering light on her face was gone as Seo-yeon arrived home and checked her new message in the parking garage.
We need to talk. Urgent. - Min-ji
Seo-yeon frowned, taking out her phone and typing a response. I should arrive in about 20 minutes.
Compared to Seo-yeon, the Min-ji lived in a much warmer apartment. Seo-yeon knocked and Min-ji, with a worried expression, opened the door.
"Come in, Seo-yeon," Min-ji said as she invited her close friend into the house. "We have to discuss something concerning about Hyun-soo".
Seo-yeon raised an eyebrow. "What about him?"
Min-ji brought her to the living room and gave her a folder. "After the Charity Gala, I did my research on his recent business activities; I discovered some facts that amazed me".
Seo-yeon spread the documents out on the folder, glancing through them. They narrowed their eyes and read through the details to the fraudulent schemes and partnerships Hyun-soo had been making. He's consolidating power," she whispered. "And he's doing it quietly. "
Min-ji nodded. "He's way worse than we anticipated. He's planning on how to remove Joon-woo and I'm not so sure your family's company is safe from him either".
Seo-yeon shut the folder, her thoughts racing. "We must employ this knowledge intelligently We have to let Joon-woo know, he needs to know, but we cannot let him see the full strategy just yet. "
Min-ji leaned forward. "What's your plan?"
"We have to stay close to both of them," Seo-yeon determined and her eyes emitted a slight fire. "Set the two factions against each other while we obtain more knowledge about them We should be prepared to move at the appropriate time. "
The next few days were a blur of strategic planning and complications of secret meetings. Seo-yeon continued the meeting with Joon-woo and said as much as she wanted to provide all the necessary pieces of information about Hyun-soo to Joon-woo to overcome him, she did not feed him with all the information at once. She also continued to converse with Hyun-soo and gather information for this mission while avoiding suspicion.
One day, Joon-woo brings Seo-yeon to his penthouse for dinner at night. The view through his windows was spectacular; the city was a sight to behold especially at that time of the night as the lights illuminated the city as if it were a sea of stars.
Seo-yeon turned to him and said to him 'Wow!' looking out at the illuminated cityscape.
Joon-woo opened a cabinet and placed two glasses of wine on the table for the two of them. "I thought you would like that as a reminder of what we are fighting for. "
Seo-yeon grabbed the glass and nodded to him with a glance into his eyes. "So, what was the true intention behind making the date tonight Joon-woo?"
Joon-woo's expression turned serious. "So, I plan to share the strategy now, Hyun-soo is turning into a reckless man and we have to snatch power from him before he establishes himself completely. "
Finally, Seo-yeon calmly takes a sip of her wine and thinks about what he said. "What do you propose?"
They had to sever his affiliations, and Joon-woo stated his opinion on the matter. "Identify his main allies and make them his enemies".
Seo-yeon nodded slowly. "Sure. But it has got to be done silently. You know Hyun-soo is sly; he will realize he is under attack".
Joon-woo smiled. "That's why I have you, Seo-yeon," he said, gripping her arm lightly, his eyes fixed on her face, "You are the most talented at playing this game. "
In the following weeks, Seo-yeon and Joon-woo proceeded with their plan effectively and successively. They spread rumors, sowed discord among Hyun-soo's friends, and turn around making friends with people who could be on their side. Seo-yeon's beauty and wit were extremely useful in spying on the team.
At the same time, Seo-yeon actively collected information from Hyun-soo who was already planted deep into the gang. She went to his functions and was continuously interested as and possible partner type. Hyun-soo was completely unaware of Seo-yeon's motives and engaged in enough light conversation to maintain the friendship.
One night, after another successful operation against Hyun-soo's network, Seo-yeon decided to meet Min-ji at a rather empty cafe.
"We are getting somewhere," I shook the coffee cup in agreement. But we need something more concrete. An actionable step.
Hesitantly Min-ji moved closer and whispered the next statement. "I've been working on it I came to know that Hyun-soo is to meet with one of his important partners tomorrow night, This may be the opportunity to obtain some evidence. "
Seo-yeon's eyes lit up. "Where is it?"
"A private club downtown," Min-ji said. "I still have the passes, I can get us in. "
Seo-yeon nodded. "Let's do it, this could be the change that is needed. "
The next night Seo-yeon and Min-ji went to the night club meant for the elite where most people are filthy rich. Min-ji's contacts secured the inside access and they moved to a secretive enclosed part, which offered a clear bulk of Hyun-soo's Table.
Looking at Hyun-soo as he talked to his buddy, a potentate who is a businessman named Kang, Seo-yeon noticed. She didn't hear what he was telling her but she could notice how passionately he was arguing.
"Can you get closer?" Seo-yeon asked Min-ji.
Min-ji smiled, and leaving behind me, disappeared in the crowd. Seo-yeon just saw her friend take a seat near Hyun-soo and start fiddling with her phone as if she were a devoted user.
Minutes passed, feeling like hours. Seo-yeon watched Hyun-soo carefully, with her eyes narrowed, and was taking mental notes. At last, Min-ji came back from the washroom, looking very pale.
"What did you hear?" Seo-yeon pressed.
''They are going to launch a massive attack on Joon-woo,'' blurted out Min-ji unnerved. "They're going to sabotage one of his biggest projects. It could ruin him."
Seo-yeon's mind raced. "We have to tell this to Joon-woo But we ao need proof. "
Min-ji passed into her small recording device. "I recorded part of their conversation, that should enough".
Seo-yeon smiled at Min-ji and this brought relief on Seo-yeon's face.
"Well done, Min-ji. This place isn't good for us, let's get out of here."
The next day Seo-yeon goes to meet Joon-woo at his workplace where the two end up spending the day together. His face was tense and he looked rather serious when he was listening to the recording.
''This is serious," Joon-woo stated, clenching his jaw. Some more related to politics said, "We need to act fast.
Seo-yeon nodded. "We must counterattck against this move by them and trend this to our benefit. "
Joon-woo's eyes met hers, filled with determination. 'We will. Thank you Seo-yeon. You have done incredible work. '
They felt proud of themselves as they planned their counterattack Seo-yeon was no exception. She was choking the power and betrayal and she was sure that she was right.
Thus, Seo-yeon went home tired but happy the following night. She filled the glass with wine and moved to stay on the balcony watching the city's view. The level of deception and bargaining was getting thicker, and she was sure she could handle them all.
Her phone buzzed with a message from Joon-woo. I liked the way we worked as a team. Let's finish this.
Seo-yeon smiled, typing back. Absolutely. To victory.
She was aware that the coming day would not be easy on her but she was prepared. When Joon-woo and Min-ji were with her, Seo-yeon completely forgot about weakness and nervousness. The politics of deceit was on in high gear, she had no intention of being left out.
The future was uncertain, She put down her glass of wine and Seo-yeon was prepared. It was a long way from the Seo-yeon unsure of herself in her father's domain.